The Estonian Museum of Natural History inspires people to notice, understand, and protect nature by telling stories about the connections between humans and the natural world.

We are a guide for nature conservation, a guardian of natural heritage, and a place where knowledge and experiences come together.

The Museum of Natural History is a valued, experiential, and innovative museum offering meaningful, inspiring, and educational exhibitions and programmes. We contribute to raising environmental awareness among the people of Estonia, supporting the protection of our natural environment, and helping society value biodiversity.

The museum team is working towards opening a new, larger, and even more exciting natural history museum in Tallinn. The new museum building will open its doors in 2027. 

Values of the Estonian Museum of Natural History

Science-based approach. Our work is based on a scientific worldview. We share reliable and trustworthy information.

Respect for nature. We treat nature with care, act sustainably, and inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world.

Openness. We are accessible and inclusive, and we cooperate with organisations that share our values.

Purposefulness and collaboration. We work together towards shared goals through meaningful cooperation. We value the well-being of our employees and strive to create a workplace where people are happy to work.

2015

• Museum Annual Awards – Exhibition of the Year Award: “Night Flyers” exhibition

2016

• Environmental Paw Award – Happy Learner: Estonian Museum of Natural History’s Young Scientists’ Club
• Environmental Paw Award – Public Favourite: Estonian Museum of Natural History’s Young Scientists’ Club
• Golden Egg Award – Design and Environmental Design: “Night Flyers”

2017

• Bronze Egg Award – Design and Environmental Design: “The Mysterious Ancient Sea”
• Museum Annual Awards – Development Award (MuuSa): Estonian Museum of Natural History’s virtual reality film “The Mysterious Ancient Sea”

2018

• Estonian Museum Souvenir Award

2019

• Clear Message Award – Best Informational Text: Estonian Museum of Natural History’s audio guide

2020

• Sharp Pencil 2020 – Marketer of the Year
• Museum Annual Awards – Temporary Exhibition Award: “A Terribly Cute Bat” exhibition

2021

• Museum Annual Awards – Most Significant Conservation Project: “Research and Conservation of Fish Specimens Based on the Collections of the Estonian Museum of Natural History”

2023

• Tulimust – Performance Marketing: Estonian Museum of Natural History’s mushroom exhibition audience record
• Communication Act Award – Public Sector Winner: Communication campaign for the Estonian Museum of Natural History’s mushroom exhibition

2024

• Dream Employer 2024: Public sector, state and public administration category
• Silver Egg Award 2024 – Special Media Solution: “Rabbits on the Tram”
• Bronze Egg Award 2024 – Point-of-Sale (POS) Advertising: “Frog Likes It?”
• Museum Annual Awards – Marketing Act Award: “The Incredible Adventures of the Long-Eared Owl at the Museum of Natural History – The Formula for Becoming Famous”

2025

• Museum Annual Awards – Museum Innovator of the Year Award: “The Possibility of Attracting Private Funding in the Museum Sector – Four Examples from the Estonian Museum of Natural History”
• Museum Annual Awards – Community Friend of the Year Award: “Engaging Communities in the Creation of the New Museum of Natural History”